Journal box assembly



Oct. 21, 1941.

D.'s. BARRows Erm.'

JOURNAL` BOX ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i Filed Aug. 9, 1939 Oct. 21, 1941. D. s. BARRows ET AL JOURNAL Box ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 9, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 21, 1941 ter, N. Corporation,

Maryland V- Y., assignors to The Symington-Gould l ochester, N. VY., a corporation of Application August k9, 19379, serial 289,304 v15 claims. (c1. sos-47),

The invention relates to a journal box assembly i and more particularly to an articulated lid-construction for closing an access opening in a journalbox.4 Y The invention has for one of itsl objects an association of elements arranged to maintaina portion thereof in storm-proof engagement" with a' journal box to prevent the ingress of foreign substance to within the journal box andfthe egress of an axle lubricating medium from the interior of the box. im M Another object of the invention isY to provide a latch means associated with anarticulated `lid structure Ato increase the forces acting against thecentral portion of a lid thereof to insre a dust-proof and leak-proof seal under all service conditions, v l

A further object of the inventionis` the provision of a latch means movably connected to an actuating arm of an articulated licll and, a journal box to additionally energize a resilient element of the lid. f VAlfeature of the invention' is the provision, in an articulated lid,l ofy a freely movable cover adapted to close an access opening inuand bear` against a journal box, the cover having a `central spherically formed socket, a leverfhaving one end thereof reacting against a hinginglug on the journal box and another end ball-shaped and positioned in the socket to enable the covernfto move universally, a resilient elementlac'tin'g between the actuating arm and lever` for urgingthe latter toward the journal box, a 'centrallydisposed post outstanding from the cover socket and extending through an openingin the ballshaped end, an elongated aperturein thev cover post aligned with U-shaped apertureslin the lever, and a pin carried bythe actuating arm extending through the postV and lever apertures; theactuating arm beingV adapted to move about lthe hinging lug inwardly and outwardly ofthe cover after the latter has initially' contacted the journal box.

A further feature of the invention is toprovide a shoulder on an actuating arm of an articulated lidA to underlie a portion `of ajrc'ov'er tn arrest a downward movement of thecover with lrespect to the actuating arm after a predetermined travel thereof. o n Another featureof the invention is to.. provide a rotatable latch means interlocked with a journal box ,to maintain an extremity of an actuating `arm in a predetermined position for additionally energizing a pre-compressed spring which forces a freely movable cover against a journal box. n

' Anadded feature of the invention is to provide a bell crank shaped latch means pivotallyl connected to an articulated lid actuating'-arm, an inner portion of the latch .means being .interillustrate the present invention.

lockedlwith ay journal box and an outer portion ofthe'latch means extending through an openingin the actuating arm for engagement by any suitable means fordisconnecting the latch means from` the journal box and facilitating a pivotal movementof the articulated lid; the latch means being maintained injournal box engagement by means -of a resilient element and its rotation in one direction limited so as to be, at all' times, in

A journalY box engagingposition.

The above vobjects and features, Aas well as numerous others, `will become apparent from 'the following description'of an'exempliedforin of the invention illustrated by various figures in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 shows a front elevational view of a journal box and an articulated lid embodying a form-.of the present invention; portions of the lid being shown in vertical section to more clearly illustrate the relation and association of parts.

Figure 2 shows a vertical cross sectional view ofthe journal box and lid'taken along the lines 2 2V of Figure 1,'looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure3 shows, a vertical cross sectional view corresponding somewhat to the illustration shown in Figure 2 'with the `exception that the latch means is not interlocked with the journal box.-v

Figure 4 shows a `horizontal cross sectional view taken along the lines 4 4 of vFigure 1,' looking .in the direction ofthe arrows.

'Figurer 5 shows a horizontal crosssectional view -takenalong the lines 5 5 of Figure 2, lookinginthe direction yof the arrows.

1 Figure-6 is a substantially horizontal cross sectional Vview taken alongthe'lines 6 6 of Figure 2, looking in the directionof the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, whereinlike reference characters designate like parts, the numeral lindicates generally a joLunal box assembly comprising a journal box 2, only a forward extremity thereof being illustrated, this being deemed suiicient to clearly and adequately The journal box lisformed by a roof or top wall 3 and a lowei` or'bottom wall 4 joined by transversely spaced vertically directed side Walls 5 to define an access opening G therebetween. Positioned adjacent the'forward extremity of the journal box and intermediate the vertical planes ofthe side walls is a conventional apertured hinging lug 1 upstanding from the top wall.

A' lid structure 8 of the articulated type and of simple, compact formis arranged for pivotal movement relatively to the journal box` and adapted to forman effective seal at the access opening extremity of the journalvbox to arrest the `entrance of foreign substance tothe interior of the boxy and the escape of journal lubricant from the box.

Forming a part of the lid structure is a plate member or cover 9 which is adapted to bear, against surfaces of the journal box walls definingv or extending around the access openingto completely close the entrance of the journal box.

The cover, intermediate the planes of the boxY walls, is desirably bulged outwardly of the jour-l nal box, as at I0, which permits the use ofa lighter thickness of metal as opposed to a plate extending throughout its entire extent in aVv single plane. The cover is convolutedadjacent its central portion to present an outwardlyY fac'- ing spherically formed cup-shaped socket or relief II through which forces are applied to urge the cover inwardly against the journal box walls.

Movably associated with the cover is a spring ing plane surfaces I5 andY I6, respectively. When the lid is pivoted toA open position (not shown) the plate I4 engages the surface I6 throughout an appreciable extent to retain the lid inY open position for any purpose desired. The other or lower extremity ofthe side flanges merges into a spherically formed, ball-shaped protuberance or extension I1 which nests in and is in surface bearing relation with the cover socket toenable the cover to move in a universal or articulate manner relative to the lever and associated structure.v By reason of thisv arrangement, therefore, the cover isv free to fully adjust and seat; itself on the journal box Y and effect a positive seal at the access opening extremity of the journal box.

Forming a part of the articulated lid is a hood, actuating member or closure arm I8, generally of channel shape in horizontal cross section, opening inwardly toward the cover for the purpose to be hereinafter explained. The hood is made up of a web I9 spaced adesired distance 50 away from the cover and extending vertically a desiredV distance above and below the cover. The upper extremity of the web I9 terminates in an inwardly directed ange 2E! to overlie the hinging lug in spaced relation thereto and form a protective ledge to guard the interior of the lidagainst the entrance of water, dust particles or any such substance which might tend to impair the operability of the lid. The Vside anges of the web,

which taper toward each other as the lower extremity of the web is approached so as to de-Y crease the weight of the hood or actuating arm, have extending therefrom inwar ly projecting side flanges 2| terminating in advance of the cover and reinforced adjacent their free or cover 5 adjacent extremity in gussets or ribs 22. The upper ends of the side flanges are spaced apart a distance sufficient to overlie and be positioned adjacent the hinging. lug. `'Extending outwardly from the side anges are hinging hubs 23 aperf tured in alignment with the aperture of the hinging lug and through which extends a-headless bolt, pin or bar 24 forming a pivotal connection between the articulated lid and journal box and about which the lid is adapted to be moved to uncover the access opening of the journal box.

Since a headless bolt is employed to form the pivotal connection, additional means must be provided to prevent an accidental or unwarranted displacement of the pin, and to accomplish this result the cover is provided With upstanding, inwardly opening or facing cup-shaped members 25 which are spaced from and partially encase the hinging hubs to arrest a longitudinal v'movement of the pin and also permit an articu- 10` lated movement of the cover with respect to the associated structure. Suitable gussets 23 are associated with the cup-shaped members to reinforce them against any forces to which they may be subjected in service.

@In order to force the cover against the journal box aswell as retain the lid in open position, a resilient meansv of any character is arranged to react against the hood or actuating arm and lever. As illustrative of this construction, there is provided a coil or helical spring 21 the outer end of which bears against a hood spring seat formed by an arcuate or convex cylindrical surface 28 on the hood web IS. An annular flange or ring 29 is formed integrally with the hood and extends around the adjacent end of the spring to retain it in operable position. A spring seat is also formed on the lever by means of a U-shaped member 3()Y extending between and formed integrally Vwith the lever sideflanges I3 to present an arcuate convex cylindrical surface 3l engaged by the inner end of the spring 21. The purpose of the arcuate surfaces 28 and 3I is to allow the spring to adjust itself during an opening or closing movement of the lidy as it will be noted, by a comparison of Figures 2 and 3, that since the relationship between the hood I9 and the lever changes angularly in the two illustrated positions of the hood, the disposition of the axis of the spring also changes relatively to the hood and lever, and hence by arranging the spring to bear upon the cylindrical surfaces, a truer action of the spring will be, at alltimes, effected throughoutthe entire range of opening and closing movement of the lid.

In the instant structure, which is compact in naturev and light in weight,the hood or actuating arm isconnected tothe cover in order to retain the lid inV assembled relation, and this construction is exemplified by a single standard or post 32 outstanding from the cover socket or relief and projecting through a suitably formed opening 33 in the lever ball end; sufficient clearance is provided about the standard to insure an unrestricted universal movement of the cover with respect to the associated structure within certain predetermined limits. The post has an elongated transversely directed (when Viewing Figures 2 and 3) aperture 34 extending therethrough. The center line of the aperture 34, indicated by the references A-,A, is arcuate and is preferably described about the pin 24` as a center for the purpose tobe hereinafter. set forth.

The portions of the lever side flanges which merge into the ball-shaped end are formed as spaced hooksl '35 presenting U-shaped apertures 36 opening outwardly toward the hood and having center lines substantially coaxial with the post aperture 34. Carried by the hood side flanges is a connecting means represented by a tubular pintle or shaft 31 which extends through the lever and cover post apertures with sufficient clearance being provided thereabout to allow a rotative movement of the cover with respect to the associated structure. So as to dispense with cotters, nuts or any other type of securing means the pintle accommodating openings in the hood side anges are flared outwardly, as at 3 8, and the pintle, being tubular, is easily and correspondingly flared, as -at 39, therebyfenla'rging the end portions thereof to lock the'pintle `against an unwarranted displacement or longitudinal movement. A centrally disposed inwardly projecting shoulder 4U is formed on the hood web to underlie the cover'post and is provided with an upwardly facing arcuate surface 4I-substan tially coaxial with the pin 24 `and spacedfrom a correspondingly formed surface 42 on the underside of the cover post. The disposition and relation of the surfaces 4I and 412 permit a free unrestricted movement of-the hood or actuating arm about the pin 24 relative to the-cover and form a means whereby the vertical downward movement of the cover is arrested after a limited predetermined movement thereof. It willbe noted that in order to provide a compact arrangement of elements the pintle 31 'is arranged in close'proxi'mity to the rib adjacent edge of the hood side flanges, and accordingly the hood is strengthened in the area about the pintle by the formation of convolutions 43 and the cover is correspondingly dished or recessed, as'at 44, to accommodate the convolutions.

As previously indicated, the spring`2l is of relatively light construction ,when compared with the usual typeY of spring means employed in journal box lids currently in use. It will be noted that if the journal box comprises an arrangement of elements so the forces are applied only to the hinging lug mounted upon the roof of the journal box, the pressure at this position must be sucient to provide an adequate pressure at a position where the lower extremity of the lid engages the lower wall of the journalbox. rIfhis arrangement has its disadvantages since the lid is pivoted about the hingin'g lug andthe latter, by reason of the engagingporticn ofthe lid sliding thereover, has the engaged surfaces thereof progressively and rapidly worn. Afterthe structure,` including the journal box and'lid therefor,

has' been in service for an appreciable length of T?.

time the hinging lug surfaces'lwill be worn to such a degree that the pressure of the lid against the journal box, particularly in the area adjacent the lower extremity thereof, will be materially decreased to thereby render the entire structure as a leak-proof and dust-proof seal very much less effective and incapable of adequately performing the function for which itrwas` designed and intended.

To eliminate this above referred to excessive f pressure against the journal box hinging lug and possible'rapid wear thereof the spring 21 isof relatively light construction for a device-"oi the present type which materially reduces the pressure of the lever plate I4 against the'lhinging lug '1. In order to obtain an adequate lid pressure, additional lmeans is preferably associated with the actuating arm and the Vjournal box to additionally energize thefspring 2l. As' anexemplication o f a .desired arrangement rand construction there is disclosed a toggle orlatch means, designated generally by the reference character 45, comprising` aU-shapedmember or stirrup 46 extending toward the bottom wall of the journal box. The stirrup, formed by spaced side Iarms 41 joined adjacent an inner extremity thereof by a connecting rib 48, is adapted to engage and interlock with a detent or locking lug 49'depending from the journal-boxlowerwall adjacent the access opening extremity of-the journal box.A The connecting rib is provided with `'an-inclined surface 50 which, as indicated in Figure 3 of the drawings, is adapted to engage a correspondingly inclined surface 5| on the locking vlug so as to-enable the stirrup to override 'and interlock with the detent, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. The latch side arms are provided, adjacent their extremities removed from the connecting rib, with oppositely directed tubular means or ferrules 52 which are in alignment with apertures 53 formed in the actuating arm side iianges. A tubular pintle 54, which may be a section of commercial tubing, extends through the latch ferrules and apertures 53 to pivotally connect the latch to the lower extremity of the actuating arm, enabling the toggle to pivot during the'latching and unlatching movement thereof. The outer portions of the apertures 53 'are-ared outwardly'of the actuating arm, as at 55, and the pintle 54 has the ends 56 thereof correspondingly. flared to thereby lock the pintle in positionand prevent its accidental displacement. The actuating arm side flanges are joined adjacent their lower extremities by an integrally formed bridge or connecting flange 51 forming an abutment against which the latch side arms are adapted to'bear so as to arrest or limit a rotative movement of the toggle in a counter-clockwise direction. By reason of this arrangement, therefore, the latch connecting rib 48 is maintained in a predetermined `or lug engaging position.

Forming a means whereby the'latch is urged in a4 counter-clockwise direction to retain the stirrup thereof against the actuating arm bridge is an energized torsion spring 58 having coils or convolutions circumambient and lretained in position by the pintle 54 between the latch side arms. The torsion spring has aipair of spaced oppositely'acting, upwardly'exte'nding legs 59 one of which bears againstV the actuatingarm bridge 5! and the other of which is in intimate contact Withl a plate 6D which joins theouter extremities o'f 'the latch side 'arms outwardly of the'ferrules`52.

So astof accommodate thelatch and its associated elements "the actuating arm web I9 has the lower extremity thereof removedvto present an opening 6l which is occupied by a portion of thel latch so as to arrangen the operating part of the "toggle in'aforward position to be 'actuated by an operator facing the'journ'al box as well as form" a compact and simplified structure. The toggle is` provided with ai forwardly extending protuberance or abutment $24 projecting outwardly away from the actuating arm' web and spaced above the pintle 54 to form a meansto which forces may be applied to disconnect the vtoggle stirrup from the journal box detent. Any type of instrument, such as a journal box packing iron, may be used to force the abutment 62 inwardly of the'journal box lid and thereby rotate the latch 'ina clockwise direction toxdisconn'ect it 'from' the locking lug. The latch" side arms are extended upwardly, as at 63, tomerge with the plate E0 and Yabutment'and forma means which is adapted t'o engage .the bridge 5'! to limit the rotative movement of th latch in one or a clockwise direction. The actuating'. arm side flanges are joined at their lowermo'st extremities'by a bar` 54, formed integrallytherewith, which may be engaged by the.abo'ife-r'ecited` journalv box packing iron to either cl'ose'theflidor rotate it to openposition after the latch has been disconnected.

about the pin 24V to a closed position, as most clearly illustrated by Figure 3 of the drawings,

vthe bar- 64 may be engaged to further rotate the lower extremity of the actuating arm toward the journal box, thereby effecting anV interlock between the latch and detent to additionally energize the spring 21 and insure a dust-proof and leak-proof seal at the forward extremity of the journal box.

Considering a closed lid, as illustrated in Figure 2, it will be observed that when the latch is disconnected from the journal' box the hood or actuating arm of the lid will pivot about the pin 24 until the shaft 31 reaches the outer limit of the aperture 34 where its continued movement will be arrested by the cover post 32. VDuring this movement the relationship between the cover and lever'remains constant, and since the lever is provided with U-shaped apertures 36, a continued opening movement of the lid will result inthe cover being carried away from the access opening of the journal box through the shaft 31 and cover post. During the opening movement of the lid, the cover and lever still maintain a substantially constant relation by reason of the frictional forces acting on the engaging surfaces of the lever ball and cover socket, and thus the displaced cover will be returned to its original seat on the journal'box. This latter function is desired because of the fact that a lid, when originally placed in service, will rhave the cover portion thereof seat itself on the journal box to effect a seal at the lid-box juncture so that by the present arrangement a removed cover will be returned to its pre-formed Seaton the journal box without the intervention` of any adjustment by arr operator. Y By disconnecting the latch from the journal boxV detent, the forces exerted by the spring 21 willV be diminished since the hood moves awai7 from the lever I2 upon a disconnection of the latch from the locking lug, and this will result in less pressure being transmitted to the hinging lug through the lever plate I4 to materially decrease the wear of the hinging lug surfaces during service or after a continued opening and closing movement 'of the lid.`

f The accompanying drawings and preceding description are intendedY to be merelyr illustrative `of the present invention and not a' limitation thereof, and for this' reason various changes and alterationsV may be made therein withoutdeparting from within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A journal box assembly, in combination, a

' journal box having a lug extending therefrom, a

cover bearing against said journal box adapted to close an access opening therein, a pivotally mounted actuating arm positioned outwardly of said cover, means reacting against the central portion of said cover, an initially'energized spring interposed between said actuating arm and means, a latch pivotally connected to an extremity of said actuating arm and adapted to engage said lug for additionally energizing said spring, and a torsion spring reacting against said yactuating arm and latch for retaining the latter Y in lug engaging position, said latch having a portion thereof extending outwardly away from said cover and beyond said actuating arm for engagement to disconnect said latch from said lug.

2. In-a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having oppositely directed lugs extending therefrom, a cover bearing against said journal box adapted vto close an access opening therein, an actuating arm positioned outwardly of said coverl and extending vertically across said cover, said actuating arm being pivotally connected to one of said lugs, a lever bearing against said arm connected lug and a central portion of said cover, an initially energized spring interposed between said lever and actuating arm, an opening in said actuating arm, latch means pivotally connected to said actuating arm adjacent said opening and arranged to engage the other of said lugs for additionally energizing said spring, and means formed on said latch extending through said opening for engagement to disconnect said latch from said lug.

3. In a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having a hinging lug, an articulated lid comprising a cover provided with a centrally disposed socket, Va lever having one end bearing against the hinging lug and the other formed spherically and positioned within said socket, a post outstanding from said socket and extending through an aperture in said spherically formed lever end, an elongated aperture in said post', U-shaped apertures in said lever spaced on either side of said post and in alignment with said Yelongated aperture, a hood pivotally connected to said lug, a spring acting between said hood and lever, and a pin carried by saidl hood and extending through said post and lever apertures, said pin, during an opening movement of said lid, being adapted to engage said post and carry said cover away from the access opening of said journal box.

4. In a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having a hinging lug, an articulated lid comprising -a cover provided with a centrally disposed socket,- a post outstanding from said socket and having an elongated opening, a leverV having an upper extremity bearing against said hinging lug and a lower extremity corre spondingly formed and positioned within said socket, said lower extremity being apertured to accommodate said post, U-shaped apertures in said lever spaced on either side of and in alignment with said post opening, Van actuating arm pivotally connected to said hinging lug, a coil spring bearing against said actuating arm and lever for urging the latter inwardly of said journal box, a pin carried by said actuating arm and extending through said post opening and lever apertures, and latch means pivotally connected to said actuating arm and interlocked with said journal box for additionally energizing said coil spring.

5. In a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having a hinging lug, an articulated lid comprising aI cover provided with a centrally disposed socket, a lever having an upper extremity bearing against said hinging lug and a lower extremity correspondingly formed and positioned within said socket, said `lower extremity having an opening therein, a post outstanding from said cover and extending through said lower extremity opening, an elongated aperture in said post, U-shaped apertures in said lever spaced on either side of and in alignment with said post aperture, an actuating arm pivotally connectedto said hinging lug, confronting arcuate surfaces on said lever and actuating arm, an energized coil springl bearing against said arcuate surfaces for urging said lever inwardly of said journal box, a pin carried by said actuating arm and extending through saidpost and lever apertures, latch means pivotally connected to said actuating arm and interlocked with said journal box for additionally energizing said coil spring, and means on said actuating arm limiting movement of said latch in one direction.

6. As an article of manufacture, a lid adapted to close an access opening in a journal box and comprising a plate having a central portion thereof convoluted to form an outwardly facing spherical pocket and a post outstanding from said pocket having an elongated aperture therein; the center line of said aperture being substantially coaxial with a hinging lug aperture of said box.

7, As an article of manufacture, a lid adapted to close an access opening in a journali box and comprising a plate having a central portion thereof convoluted to form an outwardly facing spherical pocket and a post outstanding from said pocket having an elongated aperture therein;. the center line of said aperture being substantially coaxial with a hinging lug aperture of said box; said post having a downwardly facing cylindrical surface substantially coaxial with said hinging lug aperture.

8. As an article of manufacture, an actuating arm comprising a web, spaced side flanges extending from said web, apertured hinging hubs formed on said flanges adjacent an extremity thereof, a shoulder on said web intermediate the ends thereof, a concave surface on said shoulder substantially coaxial with respect to the apertures of said hinging hubs, and a flange spaced from said web connecting said side flanges adjacent their extremities removed from said hinging hubs.

9. As an article of manufacture, a journal box lid lever comprising spaced side flanges joined adjacent an extremity by a plate, the other extremity of said flanges merging with a spherically formed protuberance, and an aperture in said protuberance for the accommodation of means formed on an associated cover, said protuberance adjacent extremities of said side flanges having U-shaped apertures the center lines of which are substantially arcuate.

10. As an article of manufacture, a skeletonsaid lid, being adapted to engage said means and carry said cover away from an access opening of said journal box.

12. In a journal box assembly, in combination. a journal box having a hinging lug, an articulated lid comprising a cover provided with a centrally ized lever for use with a journal box lid comprising spaced side flanges, a plate extending between and joining said side flanges adjacent an end thereof, a spring seat integrally formed with said flanges intermediate their ends, and a spherically formed protuberance merging with said flanges adjacent an extremity removed from said plate; said protuberance having an aperture for the accommodation of an associated means` 11. In a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having a hinging lug, an articulated lid comprising a cover provided with a centrally disposed outwardly facing socket, a lever having one end thereof bearing against the hinging lug and the other end formed spherically and positioned within said socket, means outstanding from said socket and extending through an aperture in said spherically formed lever end, an elongated aperture in said means, a U-shaped aperture in said lever in alignment with said elongated aperture, a hood pivotally connected to said lug, a spring acting between said hood and lever, and a pin carried by said hood and extending through said means and lever apertures; said pin, during an opening movement of disposed outwardly facing socket, a lever having one end thereof bearing against the hinging lug and the other end formed spherically and positioned within said socket, means outstanding from said socket and extending through an aperture in said spherically formed lever end, an elongated aperture in said means, a U-shaped aperture in said lever in alignment with said elongated aperture, a hood pivotally connected to said lug, a spring acting between said hood and lever, a pin carried by said hood and extending through said means and lever apertures, said pin, during an opening movement of said lid, being adapted to engage said means and carry said cover away from an access opening of said journal box, and latch means connected to said hood and interlocked with said journal box for additionally energizing said spring.

13. In a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having a hinging lug, an articulated lid comprising a cover provided with a centrally disposed socket, a lever having one end bearing against the hinging lug and the other end formed spherically and positioned within said socket, a post outstanding from said socket and extending through an aperture in said spherically formed lever end, an elongated aperture in said post, a hood pivotally connected to said lug, a spring acting between said hood and lever, and a pin carried by said hood and extending through said post aperture; said pin, during an opening movement of said lid, being adapted to engage said post and carry said cover away from an access opening of said journal box.

14. In a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having a hinging lug, an articulated lever comprising a cover provided with a centrally disposed socket, a lever having one end bearing against the hinging lug and another end formed spherically and positioned within said socket, means outstanding from said socket and extending through an aperture in said spherically formed lever end, an elongated aperture in said means, a hood pivotally connected to said lug, a spring acting between said hood and lever, a pin carried by said hood and extending through said elongated aperture, and means on said hood underlying said first-named means to maintain said cover in a predetermined position.

15. In a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box member having a hinging lug, an articulated lid comprising a cover provided with a centrally disposed outwardly facing socket, a lever having one end bearing against the hinging lug and the other end formed arcuately and positioned within said socket, means outstanding from said socket and extending through an aperture in said arcuately formed lever end, an elongated aperture in said means, a hood member pivotally connected to said lug, a spring acting between said hood and lever, means carried by said hood and extending through said elongated aperture, and resiliently actuated latch means connected to one of said members and adapted to engage the other of said members for additionally energizing said spring.

DONALD S. BARROWS. GLENN F. COUCH, 

